DeWalt DCF887 Impact Driver UK Review

The DeWalt DCF887 is the top-rated impact driver in our best cordless impact drivers UK comparison, and it earns that position through a combination of raw power and brushless efficiency that its rivals struggle to match at the same price point. At 205 Nm of maximum torque it is the most powerful mid-range impact driver we tested, and the brushless motor that delivers that torque does so with meaningfully better runtime and longer projected lifespan than the brushed alternatives in the comparison. For UK buyers on the DeWalt 18V XR platform, it is a straightforward recommendation.

Where the Makita DTD153Z leads on ergonomics and platform breadth, and the Milwaukee M18 BLID2 leads on torque consistency and warranty length, the DCF887 stakes its claim on outright performance and brushless efficiency. For a buyer who wants the most capable mid-range impact driver available on the UK market’s most widely stocked cordless platform, the DCF887 is the answer.

Overview and first impressions

The DCF887 is immediately recognisable as a DeWalt XR product – the yellow and black livery, the solid feel and the build quality that DeWalt maintains consistently across its professional range. The body length is 140mm, slightly longer than the Makita DTD153Z at 136mm but still compact enough for most confined-space work. At 1.07kg bare it is the lightest impact driver in our comparison, which combined with the compact body makes it the most comfortable for sustained overhead or one-handed use.

The three-speed mode selector covers the same range as the Makita – Mode 1 for precision work, Mode 2 for general fastening, Mode 3 for maximum power – but the brushless motor gives the DCF887 a noticeably crisper trigger response at low speeds than brushed alternatives. Starting a screw slowly and accelerating into the drive feels more controlled, particularly in Mode 1 where the motor delivers power more precisely at the very low end of the trigger travel.

Build quality is excellent throughout. The bit retention system is a one-handed hex sleeve that releases and locks cleanly. The LED ring light wraps around the chuck to illuminate from multiple angles, which is more effective in confined spaces than a single-point light – light reaches into corners and recesses that a directional single LED leaves in shadow, and the difference is immediately apparent on site in a dark ceiling void or under a staircase. The forward/reverse switch is positioned for comfortable thumb reach on either side of the body. A belt hook is included as standard, which is the kind of accessory that budget alternatives omit and trade users notice from the first time they go to clip the tool to a belt rig.

Specifications and scores

How it performed in our tests

The DCF887 was the standout performer in our testing across every high-demand task. Driving 100mm structural screws into dense hardwood in Mode 3, the tool completed consecutive runs without any hesitation or battery sag that other drivers showed at this workload. The 205 Nm torque figure is not just a headline – it translates into the ability to drive larger fasteners in a single pass where the Makita and Milwaukee occasionally needed a second attempt on particularly stubborn fixings in dense timber.

Where the DCF887 distinguishes itself most clearly is in the brushless motor’s trigger response. At low speeds in Mode 1, the motor delivers power with a precision that brushed alternatives cannot match – starting screws in pre-drilled holes without any tendency to skate across the surface, and maintaining consistent speed through the full trigger range. The ring LED is also the best work light in our comparison, illuminating evenly around the bit without the single-point shadow that other designs create.

Battery system and runtime

The DCF887 runs on DeWalt’s 18V XR platform – the most widely stocked cordless battery system in UK retail. XR batteries are available at B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation and Amazon as standard, which means a replacement or spare can be sourced quickly anywhere in the country. For UK buyers this availability advantage over less widely distributed platforms is a genuine practical consideration, particularly for trade professionals who cannot afford downtime waiting for specialist battery orders.

The brushless motor delivers meaningfully better runtime than brushed alternatives on the same task. In our testing the DCF887 produced approximately 20% more drives per charge than the Makita DTD153Z on the same 3.0Ah battery driving the same 75mm screws – a direct result of the brushless motor’s greater electrical efficiency under load. Over a full working day that difference compounds into a significant reduction in charging interruptions. The POWERSTACK compatibility is also worth noting: POWERSTACK batteries deliver higher sustained power output on demanding tasks and charge faster than standard li-ion packs, giving the DCF887 an additional performance ceiling on top of an already strong specification.

Performance and limitations

The DCF887’s 205 Nm torque puts it at the top of the mid-range impact driver class and ahead of both the Makita DTD153Z at 165 Nm and the Milwaukee M18 BLID2 at 180 Nm. In practical terms this means the DeWalt handles heavier structural fixings and larger fasteners with more confidence than its rivals. The brushless motor adds efficiency and longevity – brushless motors typically last significantly longer than brushed equivalents under equivalent workloads, which matters for trade professionals who use the tool daily. For a buyer weighing up mid-range impact drivers on raw specification alone, the DCF887 leads on every relevant number.

The one honest limitation worth naming is warranty length. The DCF887’s 3-year registered warranty is solid but shorter than the Milwaukee M18 BLID2’s 5-year cover. For a trade professional running the tool hard every day, the additional two years of Milwaukee warranty is a meaningful difference over the tool’s life. For domestic and DIY users this distinction matters considerably less – 3 years of registered cover on a well-made brushless tool is adequate protection for the use patterns most homeowners will subject it to, and the DCF887’s build quality suggests it will outlast the warranty period comfortably in normal domestic use.

Final verdict – is it worth it?

The DeWalt DCF887 is the best all-round impact driver in our comparison and justifies its top ranking without reservation. The combination of 205 Nm brushless torque, the most widely available battery platform in the UK and the lightest body weight in the comparison creates a package that is hard to argue against. For a UK buyer starting fresh on a cordless platform, the DCF887 on DeWalt XR is the natural starting point – the batteries are available everywhere, the tool range is comprehensive and the impact driver itself is genuinely excellent.

For existing platform users the calculation is straightforward. If you are on DeWalt XR, the DCF887 is the obvious choice. If you are on Makita LXT, the DTD153Z makes more sense despite the lower torque and brushed motor, because platform compatibility outweighs the specification gap for most users. If you are on Milwaukee M18 and need maximum torque consistency over a 5-year horizon, the M18 BLID2 with its superior warranty is worth considering alongside the DCF887.

The brushless motor premium over brushed alternatives is straightforwardly justified by runtime and longevity. The DCF887 delivers approximately 20% more drives per charge than brushed rivals on the same battery and task – that is a real, measurable efficiency gain that compounds across a full working day. For a trade professional using the tool daily, the efficiency advantage pays back the slight price premium quickly. For a domestic user, the longer projected service life of a brushless motor means fewer tool replacements over time. Either way, the brushless choice is the right one at this price point.